Wildfire: Turley
Marcy Janitz, left, still in her occupational therapist work uniform, consoles her friend Loma McGee, 81, as her house on N. Rockford Ave. burns in the background on Aug. 2, 2011. Firefighters from multiple districts spent hours trying to extinguish the house fire, which was just one of several homes affected by a large grass fire that spread through a Turley neighborhood. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
As if one wildfire on the hottest day of an already record-breaking summer wasn’t enough, a second (and larger) wildfire broke out in the town of Turley, just north of Tulsa. Because I was occupied with several other assignments, I didn’t get to Turley until almost sunset, five or six hours after the fire had started. Although the perimeter had been contained and most areas were out, there was still a good deal of activity going on to prevent flareups. Loma’s house still had flames when I arrived — firefighters had essentially given up and just let it continue to burn out. I stayed with the family for more than an hour, mostly just talking. I wish them the best in their recovery.
A firefighter stands his ground with a water bottle while watching crews use a bulldozer to tear down a smoldering structure on N. Utica Place near dusk on Aug. 2, 2011 in Turley, Okla. A fire tore through a neighborhood on the Turley-Tulsa border, damaging more than 15 homes and charring 200 acres of land. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
A wooded area is covered in ash and foam resembling fresh snowfall after a wildfire in Turley on Aug. 2, 2011. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Charlene O'Connor and Tracy Starr flip through a photo album that Tom Salyer, left, recovered from his burning home on N. Rockford Ave. in Turley on Aug. 2, 2011. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Tom Salyer, a grandson of homeowner Loma McGee, sits on a trashcan near a firefighter as McGee's home burns behind them on Aug. 2, 2011 in Turley, Okla. Salyer's residence two doors down survived the large grass fire, but he lost a home next door to McKee's which he recently purchased. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Wow. Just wow.
Very deep pictures here Jeff, good job.
Great photos of a sad event. A friend of Ms Janitz.
Great pictures Jeff…
[...] fire…as Tom Salyer sat on a trashcan with a firefighter while his grandmother Loma McGee’s house [...]